(We got to move these microwave ovens...)
You've likely noticed that I'm totally smitten with this country of Kiwis.
Something about it resonates with me in a way that makes me feel completely at home. And I don't think I'm alone in that.
The kids have adjusted easily to what's likely one of the biggest upheavals they'll ever experience. Shane seems to be enjoying work and the new pace of life here. And our dog, Moses, could not be happier, running top speed on black sand beaches, peeing on every plant he passes while hiking a mountain trail, paddling way too deep into the Tasman Sea.
Something about NZ feels right to us -- and jives with our way of life. And though it's tough to put a finger on, I've definitely noticed some concrete differences that give NZ the leg up. Of course, I've also noticed plenty of things I miss about the US, too. I'll share just a few today:
In NZ's favor
- The weather: It's the dead of winter here and I walked outside today in a dress, sweater and sandals. It's chilly, for sure, but not even "coat weather." It's more like high-school-football game cold, when a cup of hot chocolate in your hands is enough to keep you toasty. And when summer comes, it won't be a thing like the sweltering DC summers we've had the last eight years. We'll be enjoying 80 degree days and lots of sunshine. Nice, right?
- The food: I was expecting the worst on the food front, seeing as we have two extremely picky eaters in the house. (Guess who??) But the food here -- the kind you buy at the grocery store and prepare yourself -- has been top-notch. Really high quality and quite tasty when compared to the American version. Dairy, meats, cereals, snacks all have more flavor and more... girth, so to speak. They seem less processed and sugared down. Even the kids approve.
(Those of you who know the Adorable Girl may have shared our concerns about the sour cream stock we would find here. That's the girl's favorite dish, and sometimes the only part of the meal she'll eat. Praise the lord, it's here and it's fabulous. She will live another day!)
- The pace: Our biggest reason for getting out of Dodge was to slow the hell down. Life felt too rushed, in DC. Between busy commutes, work, activities, pickups, dropoffs, etc., it just never stopped. Our life here doesn't resemble that at all.
That's most likely because I'm not working fulltime yet and the kids haven't gotten into extracurricular activities. But right now we're savoring weekdays spent walking to and from the bus and school, playing dinosaurs or spending an hour at the playground, making and eating home-cooked meals, writing in my journal.
And the culture seems to support this type of life.
Every day at the girl's school (this BTW, will need its own blog; the schools are really different here), I see and chat with lots of parents picking up their kids outside the classroom. That's at 3 p.m. Most stores -- even the major mall -- shut down by 5:30 or 6 pm during the week so that workers can get home to their families. A used car salesman told Shane he'd have to come back the next day to buy a car as the shop closed at 6 p.m., no exceptions. A used car salesman!
I hope we find ways to embrace the pace, even if I do go back to work. 'Cause dang this feels better than the frantic life we knew before.
While there's plenty more I love about NZ, I'll shift gears a bit to mention a few things I miss about the US:
- The low price guarantee: We Americans have been spoiled rotten by the Walmarts of our world. Things are expensive here. Gas, electricity, water, consumer goods, food. You don't just walk into a store (a Walmart, say) and throw anything and everything you could possibly want into your cart ("why not, it's only 98 cents!"). We have to really look at the prices of items and pass on them more often than not. (That's why I'm wearing the same sweatshirt day in and day out until our crate gets here. I don't want to pay $40 for a new one!)
God bless grandparents who send the boy's favorite dinosaur oatmeal.
With a little sleuthing, you can find some deals -- but it takes a lot more effort than looking for the Blue Light Special in a K-Mart. We have to go to specialty discount stores -- that are only open until 5 p.m., remember -- and even discount food stores. (Shane swears this is safe, ha.) The cheapskate among us (guess who??) has had a particularly hard time adjusting...
- The shopping: Okay, so if you know me, you know I'm not much of a shopper anyway, but it is really slim pickings here. Clothes shopping seems particularly tricky. I've not seen any American brands -- Gap, Old Navy, H&M, etc. Instead, the big stores are The Warehouse, kind of like an expensive Walmart with less stuff, and K-Mart (for real; it's still a thing here). I've actually gotten used to seeing lots of women wearing the same shirt, one I know they bought at the Warehouse, because I almost did too.
- Friends and family: Here in NZ, we're definitely far away from everyone we know and love -- and that can be hard. I will say, though, with apps like WhatsApp, email and Skype, we're able to keep in touch fairly easily. I actually think the whole "living abroad" experience has been changed dramatically by technology (sounds like another post, too :) . But know that we do miss y'all. Sometimes :)
